Metal transformer flat hides WC inside vault-room in Montreal

After stripping back an apartment inside a former razor factory to its original industrial concrete walls, floors, and ceilings, Jean-Maxime Labrecque began to insert raw aluminum furniture modules to fulfill all of the dwelling’s functions: bed, walk-in closet, bookshelf, sofa, counter, stools, kitchen, and storage.

Calling it “Inhabitable Sculpture”, Labrecque was asked to create “a space that people will find cold” and that was like “living in an art gallery.” The work evolved slowly over 4 years from conception to completion, allowing plenty of time for multiple iterations in fabrication and installation.

Complimenting the main living area of the space is the home’s only other furniture: a glass block containing appliances (refrigerator, washing machine, dishwasher), water heater and storage. The all-black bathroom is housed inside the factory’s old concrete vault.